System of control.



No. 845,023. PATENTED FEB. 19, 1907. H. E. WHITE & H. G. PEASE.

SYSTEM OF CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26. 1905.

W :TNEssEs: IMVENTORSI flaw, 5, HAROLD E.w.|-| m5,

HAROLD QPEASE, Q KP/ W I by Mg 2,;

UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD n. WHITE AND HAROLD/C. PEASE, or'scHnNncT nY, NEW YORK,

ASSIGNORS TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SYSTEM OF CONTROL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19, 1907.

Application filed June 26,1905. Serial No. 266,953.

To aZ/I whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, HAROLD E. WHITE and HAROLD C. PEAsE, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectadyand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin... Systems of Control, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to apparatus for controlling the operationof an electric motor or motors.

The arcing produced at the controller-contacts in the process ofcontrolling motors has led to the practice of employing amotor-controller adapted for heavy currents and the attendant arcing,together wi th a mastercontroller or switch for governing the action ofthe m otor-controller, the arrangement being such that no heavy currentsare broken by the master-controller. In apparatus for many purposes thearcing caused by the breaking of small currents in the master-controlleris of no moment, although the controller must be made larger and heavierthan would otherwise be necessary. In some cases, however, any arcing inthe master-controller isof'considcrable disadvantage For example, incontrolsysteins for variable-speed motors driving automatic machinery inwhich the master-controller is automatically drivenspeed changes. areproduced upon small movements of parts of the machinery,

suchas the tool-feed. It is obvious that if the speed changes arenumerous and it live circuits are interrupted in the master-controllerit must be made large to afford sufiicient space between the contacts toenable the arcs to be broken. Not only'is a large and unwieldymaster-controller undesirable, but even though the controller be largethe arcs formed between cooperating contacts will bridge then during amaterial move-r ent of the controller: giving perhaps different speedconditions "at. the same position of the master-controller, dependingupon the direction in which the controller is being moved.

In one of its aspects the present invention consists in a constructionand arrangement of parts constituting a system of control whereby-themaster-controller is permitted to operate without theformation of arcsat its contacts. It is"sotneti'nes desirable to operate variable-speed.TROtOIS at different lino-potentials, current being supplied from thelow-potential circuit until a certain speed is reached and the motorbeing then connected to the circuit of high potential for operation atincreased speeds.

In anotherof its aspects the present inventioniniay be regarde ascomprising means forconnecting a motor or group of motors to a source ofcurrent-supply, automatically accelerating-the motor,- and then auton1atically connecting it to another source of supply and again acceleratingit.-

The present invention will be more fully understood in the aboveandother aspects from the following description thereof.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a preferred form of the presentinvention.

The particular embodiment of our invention illustrated consists incontrol apparatus for a shunt-Wound motor adapted to be suppliedsuccessively With current from two different circuits. Upon starting themotorarmature is connected to the low-potential circuit in series with astarting resistance and is brought up to speed through the automatiielimination of the resistance. Thespeedioi the motor -may then beincreased. by cutting resistance into'the shunt field-circuit untilthemaximum speed for that voltage is attained. The armature is thenautomatic ally disconnected from the low-potential circuit and connectedt orthe high-potential circuit, again in series with the startingresistance. At the same time the field 'is strengthened by cutting outthe field resist- The starting resistance is cut out-aucircuits takingplace at the contacts of-a relay adapted for that purpose.

By this arrangement all danger of arcing in the mastercontroller iseliminated.

Reference being had to the drawings, M indicates a motorarmature, and Ea shunt field-winding.

' sociated with switches I, C, and B, actuatjing-coils o1 switehesB andS, wire 13, and

relay governing the rateo'l progression of the resistance-switches ofthe controller.

. is master-controller.

D and E are starting :LIU'I stopping switches or bu tons, respectively.

r is a field-rheostat and L is a relay arranged to shift thefield-circuit and the active control-circuits inresponse to themovements of the master-controller.

The motor-controller comprises a switch it for connecting one terminalof the motorarmature to supply-conductor a, switches B and C, whichcobperate with switch S to connect the opposite terminal of the armatureto eoneuctors b and 0, respectively, resistnice-controlling switches R,R and R and a switch I, which automatically closes and places a Shuntorlhridge about the resistance-switches and switch B after the latterswitches have operated. The master-eon-- troller comprises thefixed'contacts ll and the movabl contacts 9, g, and g for governing thecontroller K and additional fixed contacts 5, 6, and 7 and movablesegmentalcontacts 9 and gfor regulating the field resistance 1. Themovable contacts of the master-controller are illustrated as mountedupon a developed cylinder arranged to he revolved through gearing G. Therelay L consists of an electromagnet to the core of. which are attachedtwo contact members Z and Z. W hen the relay-coil 1s deenergized,

these contacts engage, respectively, with the fixed contacts Z and Z,and when the coil is energized then engagement is made with contacts Z-andZt In the drawings the parts of the apparatus are illustrated asoccupying their oil oriinoperative positions, contact 9 in themasteresntroller bridgingcontacts 1 and 2. 'When it is desired to startthe motor, switch D is momentarily closed. Current thereupon flows fromline Z through wire 8, contacts Z andl of the relay L, contacts 2, g,andZ of.

the master-controller,switch D, actuatingcoil of switch A, switchE, wire9 to c; Switch A'is thereupon closed, eonnectufgone terminal of themotor-armature to line A branch circuit passes from point 10 throughwhen, contacts O O, and cello of relay 0, wire 12, auxiliary contacts ic and b, as-

thence through wire 9jto line 0. This closes switches B and and connectsthe remainlng terminal of the motor-armature to line b.

stapes circuit by connecting its coil directly to wire 8 through wire 17and auxiliary contacts a, which are bridged when the main switch closes.Current also flows to point 10 and to the actuating-coils of switches Band S, so that the switches A, B, and S are now A lost motion isprovided between the core of the relay and movable contact 0 so thatswitches B and S have time to close be fore the actuating-circuit isbroken. After the relay 0 has operated it closesslowly under theinfluence of the dash-pot 0 again completing the controllingcircuit atcontacts O and 0 Current now flows from .Wire 12 through auxiliarycontacts Z and s", associated, respectively, with switches B and S,thence through. auxiliary contact r associated with switch B, throughthe actuating coil'of the switc R through the auxiliary contacts r assciated with the switch 1, and thence to wire 13. Switch R is now closed,cutting out resistancesections in the armature-circuit. The closing ofswitch R closes auxiliary contact r associated therewith and establishesa maintainingcircuit from wire 15 through these latter auxiliarycontacts, and thence'to wire 13, as before. Switches R R, and I are thenclosed in automatic progression, cutting out the remaining resistancefrom the armaturecircuit and connecting the armature directly across aand I) through switches A and I. It is noted that upon the operation ofeach. of the switches B, R, and R the actuatingcircuit is broken by therelay 0, and if the motor-current increases too rapidly thethrottle-coil 0 serves to keep the core of the relay raised and preventsthe closing of resistance-switches R R and Pt, respectively, until themotor-current has fallen within safe limits.

The actuatin -circuit for the switches B and S and themaintaining-circuits for the switches B and S and theresistance-sudtchcs pass through the auxiliary contacts 2" i", as-

sociated with switch I, so that when switch "I closes theactuating-coils oi the switches B S and the resistance-switcl1es' aredemaintained closed independently of the relay energized, and theselatter switches all drop open. This system of automatically-progressingcontacts forms in itself no, part of the present invention, beingillustrated simply as a .desirable form of motor-com troller foruse incarrying out the present invention. For a more complete understanding ofthis form of motoncontrollei' and of the construction of time-intervaland throttle relay and main and auxiliary contacts or switches referencemay be had to Patent No.'798,342, granted August 29, 1905;011 theapplication filed by George H. Hill.

The field F of the motor is connected at one terminal to line a and atits other terminal to one terminal of the resistance 1. When themaster-controller is moved fronr its off position, the brush g, which isin electrical connection with the contact-segment 9 engages with thecontacts 7, so that current is free to flow from line a, through thefieli-coil, through one of the contacts 7, through the brush 9, segment9 contact 6, contact Z Zof therclayL, wire9 to line 0. As themaster-controller is moved toward the left the amount of resistance 7which is in. the

-field'-circuit is increased until finally the entire resistance hasbeen cut intothefieldcircuit and the maximum speed for the low voltageattalned. In the next position of .the master-controller the contact 9bridges the fixed contacts 2 and 3 and current-flows from wire 8,through contact Z and Z of the relay L, contacts 2, g, and 3 of themastercontroller, through the actuating coil of I he relay. L, throughthe auxiliary contacts (1?,

, associated. with the switch A, through wire 18, actuating-coil ofswitch C, actuating-coil of switch S, wire 13, wire 9 to lineewire c.Switches G and S' are thereupon closed, and the motor-armature isconnected across line a c in series with the entire starting resistance.The closing ofthe switch S breaks the maintaining-circuit of the switchI at the auxiliary contacts s, whereby the switch I is I1? ade to openimmediately upon the closing of theswitches C and S. The switches R Rand R are again closed in automatic progression in exactly the samemanner as before, the operation finally leaving the motor-armatureconriectedacross linesa c, with no resistance in circuit.

i It will be seen that as soon as the actuating-coil of the relay Lhasbeen energized the .core is lifted and the current instead oi passingthrough contacts Z through the mastercontroller, and thence through thecoil of the relay now passes through the contact Z of j the relay andthence directly through coil of the relay and the wire 18, as before,shunting the controller-contacts 2 and 3, so

that when these contacts are disengaged :zfrom segment 9 upon a furtherirovezrent of the master-controller no sparking occurs, because nocurrent is flowing through the of the relaytLis to break the connectionbetween wire 9 and the contact 6 of the mastercontroller and to complete.a connection between, said wire and contact 5. Segments g and brush 9are now rendered idle, and the field-circuit passes through brush 9* andsegment 9. The-relation of the brushes g and g" issuch that when thebrush g is in engagement with the left-hand terminal of resistance r thehrushg is in engagement with the opposite terminall Consequently at thepoint at which the brush 9 is cut out the brush 9 is ready to traversethe contacts 7 and cut resistance into the fieldcircuit. Upon returningthe master-controller toward its oif position the segment 9 bridgescontacts 3 and 4, thereby short-ehcuiting the actuating-coilof the relayLand causing it to he (i -energized. The core of the .relay falls,cutting out brush 9 and again hringing into play brush 9 andinterruptingthe maintaining-circuit for all the switches, except the switch A.Since, however, the switch A remains closed, the switches B S R R I mayclose in automatic succession and bring the motor into operation againon the low-potential circuit. When it is desired to stop the motor, theswitch or push button E is operated, breaking the control 9 ling-circuitand preventing the further operationof the controller'until thenrastercontroller is'again HZOVGCl to its oli position. If the motor isbeing used to drive a lathe or boring-mill, for instance,- themaster-controller may be geared to the cross-feed of the tool, and socause the motor to gradually in- ;crease its speed as the diameter ofthe cut ing-surface decreases. In this way a definite cutting speed maybe maintained irrespective of the diameter of the work. While the use ofa starting-button is advantageous in cases where the master-controlleris poweroperated, this button is not an essential feature, since themaster-con troller mayreadily be arranged to perform the functionthereof. While the system described is--;one well adapted for service inconnection with. machine-tools or other machines, the present inventionis not linlitedto control apparatus used in such situations'nor toapparat which the master-controller is automatically driven.Furthermore, different typcs of motors than the particulartypeillustrated may be effectively controlled in accordance with thepresent invention, and the details and arrangement of parts of thecontrol apparatus may be greatly varied without departing from thespirit of the present invention.

hat we claim as new, anddcsirc to secure by LettersPatent oi the UnitedStates, s

.1. In combination, a controller, a govern,-

vice having contacts arranged in said circuit,

' ing-relay for said controller, a contfio 'c'u1t l'or said 1elay, amaster cont and means for placing a shunt about said con tacts upon theoperation of the relay.

2. In combination, a controller, a governsling--01!- lling de vicehaving contacts in said circuit, and

means for automatically shunting said cir--' ouit past said contacts.

3. In combinatioma controller, electromagnetic controlling meanstherefor, an electromagnetic relay, a master controlling device havingcontacts for completing a circuit through said electromagneticcontrolling means and through t actuating-co1l ol' said relay, andcontactsonsgid relay -l'or shunting said circuit pest the contacts ofthe tester devices upon the operation of the relay. 7

4. In combination, a controller, electromagnetic actuating meanstherefor, a relay for controlling said actuating means, a ntestercontrolling device arrangedto energize said relay,- and means associatedwith sai d rclaylor rendering said. master device inoperativei-upon theoperation of the relay.

, 5. In combination, a controller, electromagnetic controlling meanstherefor, an electromagneticrelay, a master controlling device havingcontacts for coirpleting a circuit through said electromagneticcontrolling meansandv through the actuating-coil of said relay, contactson the relay for shunting said circuit past said contacts upon theoperation of the relay, and additional contacts on said mastercontrolling device arranged to shortcircuit thc-actuating-coilof saidrelay.

6. Incombina'tmn, .a-motor, a plurality of supply-circuits, a controlleradapted to connect-said =mo'torsuccessi'vely to oitlerent ci.r I

cuits, electromagnetic actuating means for said controller, a relaycontrolling the circuit of saidlactuating means, a master controllingdevice for energizing said relay, and means associated with said relafor placing a shunt aboutithe master contro ling.device upon theoperation ofthe relay. i i

' 7 In combination, a motor having a shunt-field, a controller, aresistance in said shunt-field, electromagne ticactuatmg means"plurality oi contacts arranged to traverse said series of contactssuccessively, means controlled by the relay for either of said sashesswitch--co ntacts to one terminal of said resistance, and contacts onsaid switch device for controlling Slld relay.

9. In combination, a plurality of supplycircuits, a motor having ashunt-field, an armature resistance, a field resistance, a controllerarranged to connect the motor-armature successively to saidsupply-circuits and to vary the amount of resistance in series with thearmature, means [or operating said controller, a master-controller l'orgoverning s Hid nieans and iorvarying the amount of re* si'stance in thefield-circuit.

10. In combination, a plurality of supplycircuits, amotor controllerconstructed and. arranged to disconnect the motor from one circuit andconnect it to another, electromagnetic actuating means for saidcontroller, a master controlling device adapted to complete a circuitthrough said actuating means, and means for automatically shuntingsaidlatter circuit around the master .0 utrolling device.

11. In combination, a plurality of supplycirouits, a motor, aresistance, an electro-' magnetically-actuated motor-controller arranged to connect the motor to the supply circuits in succession and toautomatically vary the amount of the resistance in the mo torcircuit, amaster controlling device arranged to control the circuit of theactuating means for said motor controller, and means for automaticallyshunting said latter circuit around the master controlling device.

12. In combination, a plurality of supplycircuits; amotor,amotor-controller, eleotromagnetic actuating means for said controller,.a relay, a master controlling device adapted to energize said relay andtocause said controller to operate to disconnect the motor fromonecircui't and to connect it to another circuit, and means associatedWith said relay loriplacing a shunt around said master-con trollingdevice upon the operation .ofthe relay. v I

13. In combination, a plurality of supply circuits, a motor, aresistance, an electromagnetically actuated controller arranged toconnect the motor to the supply-circuits in succession and toautomatically vary the amount of the resistance in the motorcircuit, an.electromagnetic relay, a master controlling device having contactsadapted to coil of said relay and through the actuating ated with saidrelay for shunting said latter circuit aroundsaid contacts upon theoperation of the relay.

14. In combination, a plurality of supplycircuits, a motor, aresistance, on electrom :1 gnetically actuated controller arranged tohonnect the motor to the supply-circuits in succession, acontrolling-circu1t, an electromagnetic relay having contacts in saidconcomplete a circuit through the actudting- I means for saidcontroller, and means associtrolling-circuit, a master controllingdevice, and connections arranged to connect'the actuating-coil of saidcontacts on the relay arranged .to place a shunt .aboutsaid controllingdevice upon the operation of the relay.

15. In combination, a resistance, a series of contacts connectedtherewith, a controller having a plurality of,brushes arranged totraverse said contacts in succession, a supplyconductor, a relayarranged to connect either of said brushes to said supply-conductor, andcontacts on said controller for controlling said relay.

16.'-In combination, a resistance, a series ofcontactsconnected thereto,a controller having a plurality of brushes arranged to traverse thecontacts in succession, a'supplyconductor, a relay arranged to connecteither of said brushes to said supply-conductor, contacts onsaid-controller for energizin said relay, and means associated with saidrela for placing a shunt around said con- .trol er-contacts upon theoperation of the relay.

17. In combination, a resistance, a series of contacts connectedthereto, a controller having a plurality of brushes arranged totraversethe contacts in succession, a supplyconductor, a relay arrangedto connect either of said brushes to said supply-conductor, contacts onsaid controller for energizing said relay, means associated with saidrelay for placing a shunt around said controllercontacts upon theoperation of the relay, and

additional contacts in said controller for short-circuiting said relay.

18. In combination, a pair of supply-con- .ductors, a motor having onefield-terminal connected to one of said conductors and the otherfield-terminal with one terminal of a resistance, a controller having aplurality of brushes, a relay for connecting either of said brushes to\the remaining supply-conductors, contacts in electrical connection Withsaid resistance arranged to cooperate with said brushes, and contacts onsaid controller for controlling said relay.

19. In combination, a plurality of supplycircuits, a motor, a startingresistance, a 1110- tor-controller arranged to successively connect saidmotor to the supply-circuits in series with the starting resistance andto automaticallygcut out said resistance, a mastercontrollerforgoverning the operation of said motor controller, a field resistance,and means associated with the master-controller for re lating saidfieldresistance intermediate th ef ositions of the master-controllerwherein t e motor connections are caused to be shifted from onesupply-circuit to another.

In witness-whereof We have hereunto set our hands this 24th day of June,1905.

HAROLD E. WHITE. HAROLD O. PEASE.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN ORFORD.

